The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says Nigeria faces a high risk of Ebola being brought into the country. The warning follows ongoing outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain in parts of East Africa, plus heavy travel, population movement, and porous borders.
NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris gave the update in Lagos during a briefing on Nigeria’s readiness. He said the agency’s warning is based on a fresh risk assessment tied to Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
While Nigeria has no confirmed case yet, Dr Idris flagged delayed detection as a key worry. Early Ebola symptoms look a lot like malaria and Lassa fever, which are common here.
To stay ahead, NCDC has stepped up several measures: tighter surveillance at airports and land borders, lab readiness, public risk communication, case management plans, and closer coordination with health stakeholders.
He’s urging state governments to activate their emergency response plans and make sure structures are fully operational. Healthcare workers and frontline staff should also keep a high level of suspicion when patients show symptoms that could match Ebola.
“So far we’ve completed a national dynamic risk assessment and vulnerability analysis to guide our response,” Dr Idris said. “Nigeria remains ready to detect, investigate, contain, and respond to any potential outbreak.”
He stressed that early detection and quick reporting are critical to stop any spread.
Globally, the current DRC outbreak is its 17th. WHO reports 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths across three provinces, plus 116 suspected cases. Uganda has recorded 15 cases and 1 death, including a Congolese resident who traveled via the UAE.
Ebola spreads through close contact and bodily fluids. It has killed over 15,000 people in Africa in the last 50 years.
